Validating the Farsi version of the Pregnancy Worries and Stress Questionnaire (PWSQ): An exploratory factor analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Biological, environmental, inter- and intrapersonal changes during the antenatal period can result in anxiety and stress in pregnant women. It is pivotal to identify potential stressors and prevent their foetal and maternal consequences. The present study was conducted to validate and examine the factor structure of the Farsi version of the Pregnancy Worries and Stress Questionnaire (PWSQ). METHODS: In 2015, 502 Iranian healthy pregnant women, referred to selected hospitals in Tehran for prenatal care at 8-39 weeks of pregnancy, were recruited through a randomized cluster sampling. The PWSQ was translated into Farsi, and its validity and reliability were examined using exploratory factor analysis by SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The content validity of items on the PWSQ was between 0.63-1. The content validity index for relevance, clarity and simplicity were 0.92, 0.98, and 0.98, respectively, with a mean of 0.94. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.863. Test-retest reliability showed high internal consistency (α=0.89; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The psychometric evaluation and exploratory factor analysis showed that the translated questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to identify stress in Iranian pregnant women. Application of the questionnaire can facilitate the diagnosis of stress in pregnant women and assist health care providers in providing timely support and minimizing negative outcomes of stress and anxiety in pregnant women and their infants

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene Glu298Asp polymorphism and risk of preeclampsia in South East of Iran

Preeclampsia (PE) is the most serious complication of pregnancy that causes maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although the exact pathophysiology of PE is unknown, a large number of studies have shown that abnormalities in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis may contribute to the development of this disorder. There are some evidences that polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene affect NO production and have been associated with hypertension and PE in some populations. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess the relation of the Glu298Asp eNOS polymorphism and PE in an Iranian population. We compared the frequency of the Glu298Asp polymorphism in 147 women with PE and 137 healthy pregnant control subjects by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The frequencies of Glu298Asp genotypes were significantly different between PE women and controls (p &lt; 0.001). The frequency of Asp allele was 0.32 in PE patients and 0.20 in controls and was significantly different (p &lt; 0.001). The risk of PE was 2.4 fold in pregnant women with Asp allele. In conclusion, the Asp allele could be a risk factor for PE in South East of Iran.Key words: Nitric oxide synthase, polymorphism, preeclampsia, pregnancy

STABILITY IMPROVEMENT OF IMMOBILIZED ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE USING CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES

Abstract -Enzyme engineering via immobilization techniques is a suitable approach for improving enzyme function and stability and is superior to the other chemical or biological methods. In this study chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using the Ionic Gelation method and were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Alkaline phosphatase was successfully immobilized on the chitosan nanoparticles in optimum conditions. Chitosan nanoparticles were used because of their special properties for enzyme immobilization. This study indicated that the immobilized enzyme has improved function at high temperature and during storage. Immobilization resulted in an increased range of optimum pH and temperature, and reusability of enzyme. Furthermore, the binding efficiency calculation indicated that the immobilized alkaline phosphatase conserved 71% of its native activity. Kinetic parameter studies indicated no significant difference between the immobilized and free enzymes

The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

Using a teaching model framework, we systematically review empirical evidence on the impact of entrepreneurship education (EE) in higher education on a range of entrepreneurial outcomes, analyzing 159 published articles from 2004 to 2016. The teaching model framework allows us for the first time to start rigorously examining relationships between pedagogical methods and specific outcomes. Reconfirming past reviews and meta-analyses, we find that EE impact research still predominantly focuses on short-term and subjective outcome measures and tends to severely underdescribe the actual pedagogies being tested. Moreover, we use our review to provide an up-to-date and empirically rooted call for less obvious, yet greatly promising, new or underemphasized directions for future research on the impact of university-based entrepreneurship education. This includes, for example, the use of novel impact indicators related to emotion and mind-set, focus on the impact indicators related to the intention-to-behavior transition, and exploring the reasons for some contradictory findings in impact studies including person-, context-, and pedagogical model-specific moderator

Comparison of the Therapeutic Effect of 2% Topical Minoxidil with Rosemary Solution in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata on the Scalp

Background & aim: Alopecia Areata is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects the hair roots. Different drugs and methods are used to treat this disease, nevertheless there is still no cure. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effect of topical Minoxidil 2% solution in the treatment of alopecia areata on the scalp with rosemary solution. Methods: The present clinical-trial study was conducted on 78 patients with Alopecia Areata. Block randomization was designed in two groups of four Minoxidil 2% (n=39) and Rosemary (n=39). During the initial evaluation, patients were assessed in terms of location, number and extent of lesions by a dermatologist, and then the data were recorded. Patients in the intervention group were administered rosemary, as well as those in the control group were given Minoxidil 2%. The patients were instructed to apply the medication to the lesion twice a day. The lesion was re-evaluated two months later. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 as well as T-test and Chi-square test and descriptive statistics. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of mean age, mean duration of disease, and alopecia conflict in the patients of two groups (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in cure rates between the two groups (05/0 p>0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that both Rosemary and Minoxidil had the same effects on alopecia areata. Due to the fact that the treatment of alopecia areata by rosemary plant is effective and affordable, it can be recommended

Effective factors on spiritual coping in institutionalized adolescents according to Reasoned Action Theory

IntroductionInstitutionalized children face with many stressful situations and problems. These are complicated during adolescence period with its critical condition. Hence, understanding efficient coping strategies to overcome difficult situations may satisfy the emotional needs of these adolescents and nature their cognitive and psychological development. One of the issues with little evidence is the coping strategies they apply particularly in spiritual domain. It seems that lack of a conceptual or theoretical framework has been a lag for investigating in this regard. According to Theory of Reasoned Action, attitude and subjective norms regarding a behavior influenced by external factors are the most important predictors of a behavior.     The purpose of this article is to provide a conceptual framework based on the theory, denoting a relationship between external factors including demographics (age and sex), personal factors (self-esteem, self-efficacy and hopefulness), spiritual attitude as well as subjective norms and spiritual coping of the adolescents as a focused behavior.  Keywords: Spiritual coping, Institutionalized adolescents, Theory of Reasoned Action

Daily living activities of the elderly in nursing homes

  Background: Aging is inevitable, starts gradually as the last stage of development in all people leading to alterations in body compounds and decreased efficiency of organs and affects on physical ability at different levels. Deterioration of physical abilities and its resultant limitations reduces the independence of the elderly and increases their reliance on others. WHO reports suggest that inactivity or immobility in living is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Purpose: This descriptive study was conducted to assess physical activities of the elderly and identify their problems and needs in nursing homes of Sanandaj. A healthcare plan was then developed according to their needs.  Methods88 elders (over 65) from 2 governmental and private nursing homes took part in the study. A questionnaire (Independence in Daily Living Activities) developed in 2006 with 20 items describing all daily physical activities was used for data collection. It was completed by observation and interview. It divides independence into 2 levels and a 5-point Likert scale (from 0 to 4 points) including absolutely independent, relatively independent, relatively dependent, absolutely dependent, and inactive because of nonphysical problems is used for scoring. The scores range between 20 and 80 or less.         Results51% of the elderly was male, 56% between 65 and 75, 88% illiterate, 61% from other towns and 42% resided at nursing homes less than 3 years. 6 (6.82%), 51 (57.95%), 26 (29.55%) and 5 (5.68%) elders were absolutely independent, relatively independent, relatively dependent and absolutely dependent respectively. The last group needed constant care for all of their daily activities. Conclusion Being in nursing homes requires daily activities and some tasks for self-care. Activities of the elderly for mobility and self-dependence help maintain their health but inactivity can increase their need to carers and assisting or ambulatory devices. The importance of activity limitations is revealed when their physical mobility is assessed by an appropriate tool to provide a criterion for predicting as well as planning healthcare services and, finally, for their self-care and health promotion. The tool applied in this study is recommended.  Keywords: Activities of daily living, Elderly, Nursing homes.     

Biophysiological measures: A critique on MS theses in Shaheed Beheshti Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery

Background Biophysiological measures are the most common instruments for collecting data in medical science studies. To collect valid and reliable data, it is critical to apply these measures appropriately.  PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess and critique the validity and reliability of biophysiological measures in MS theses in Shaheed Beheshti Faculty of nursing and midwifery.  Methods343 nursing and 166 midwifery theses were first assessed to identify those with biophysiological measures and in 48 ones with these measures, methods used for identifying their validity and reliability were checked.  Results Findings showed that scientific methods for examining accuracy, selectivity, precision, sensitivity and calibration of biophysiological measures were not accurately applied. Conclusion This study reveals inadequate application of scientific methods regarding to accuracy and precision of biophysiological measures. Accordingly, better methods for identifying accuracy and precision of biophysiological measures should be applied.  KeywordsBiophysiological measures, Nursing thesis, Midwifery thesis